Does the Weather Really Matter?: The Social Implications of Climate Change - Softcover

Burroughs, William James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521017440 ISBN 13: 9780521017442

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

We talk about it endlessly, write about it copiously, and predict it badly. It influences what we do, what we wear, and how we live. Weather--how does it really impact our lives? In this compelling look at weather, author Burroughs combines historical perspective and economic and political analysis to give the impact of weather and climate change relevance and weight. He examines whether the frequency of extreme events is changing and the consequences of these changes. He looks at the chaotic nature of the climate and how this unpredictability can impose serious limits on how we plan for the future. Finally, he poses the important question: what types of serious, even less predictable changes are around the corner? In balanced and accessible prose, Burroughs works these issues into lucid analysis. This refreshing and insightful look at the impact of weather will appeal to anyone who has ever worried about forgetting an umbrella. William James Burroughs is the author of Watching the World's Weather (CUP, 1991) and Weather Cycles: Real or Imaginary? (CUP, 1994).

About this title

Book Description

What has been the real impact of past weather extremes on historic events?

Is the frequency and impact of weather extremes changing?

Can we predict how the climate will behave in the future; what will be the consequences of these changes?

Are greater, less predictable changes just around the corner?This book, written for a broad audience, seeks to answer these questions by providing a balanced and accessible analysis of the current debate on climatic change, and its possible impacts on all aspects of society.50 word blurb for advertisement:This book, written for a broad audience, provides a balanced and accessible analysis of the current debate on climatic change, and its possible past and future impacts on all aspects of human society.15 word blurb for advertisement:This book, written for a broad audience, provides a balanced and accessible analysis of climatic change on human society.

Review

"In William James Burrough's Does the Weather Really Matter? there is an excellent discussion of exactly what modelers are attempting to do when predicting climate change...Rather than dwell on implicating human activity as the cause of global warming and weather change, Burroughs does an excellent job of documenting the social implications of weather using a fairly wide range of historical examples...In a balanced and accessible way, Burroughs has expertly combined an historical perspective with political and economic analysis and has explained the impact of extreme weather events on all aspects of society from a meteorological and climatological perspective." Satya

"I would recommend this book as essential reading for anyone with an interest in climate change and its effect on society. The subject matter has clearly been very thoroughly researched and the author's first-hand previous experience in government policy formation has been of considerable benefit when explaining some of the more political implications." Weather

"...I wouldn't hesitate to commend it to all who are concerned about the impact of climate change, irrespective of their perception of the threat." CMOS Bulletin

"Detailed information is presented in graphical form with appropriate commentary and analysis. The discussion is well balanced without advocating any particular point of view." The Leading Edge

"The book is well written." EOS

"...informative, authoritative, easy to read and its color photos are breathtaking...a little gem of a pocket-sized book, crammed with practical information on how to observe and understand the weather." Naples, FL News

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0521017440
• ISBN 13: 9780521017442
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244